help w/ building a good TPI motor
10-21-2003, 09:47 PM
#1
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help w/ building a good TPI motor
I have a 30 over 350 block w/ 10 to 1 forged flat tops. I want to go at least low 12's using the stock tuned port set up. Minus the injectors anyway. What cam should I run? What should I do with the heads? (Using stock ones.) I have a set of GMPP 1.6 rr's and hyd roller lifters, brand new. Running cam2 doesn't bother me. Any suggestions ????
10-22-2003, 01:19 AM
#2
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I'd sell the pistons and get lower compression ones. Later you can put a blower on it. In the meantime, you could advance your timing a little in the ECM. I'd get AFR 190 or 195 heads, lose the intake system for a Superram or Mini ram. Oh, 1 5/8 SLP headers
10-23-2003, 10:24 PM
#3
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Why get lower compressoin pistons ??? I'd be ok with 11 or 12 to 1 compression. Cam2 is easily accessible here and I don't plan on driving it except to play and to drive to the track, which is only 10 miles from my house. I don't have buku bucks to spend on this. I plan on doing it mostly with my tax returns, which should be a few thousand $$.
10-23-2003, 11:32 PM
#4
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I wouldn't go past 11 for a NA motor unless you plan to run race gas. The reason I said to go lower is that you can always advance timing in the EPROM for now. Later on, with the lower compression, you can go with a blower if you want to. I don't like octane additives because it can foul up O2 sensors
10-24-2003, 08:25 AM
#5
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Running low 12s with the stock tuned port setup will be damn near impossible, running low 12s with a modified TPI setup and modified stock heads will still be very difficult... Just trying to let you know what youre gettin into... If you do want a blower, then get dished pistons, but if you want to stay N/A, running lower compression is a sure-fire way to make less power.
10-24-2003, 10:31 AM
#7
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thats the basic point....you have a couple grand??? does that include the short block or not? If you have a couple grand get some decent heads and find a good porting place and then get a stealth ram/super ram....the tpi is not good for what you want to do.
10-24-2003, 08:32 PM
#8
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I already have the short block, and my old TPI 350 is still in the car. I DO plan on running "race gas" be it Cam2 or VIP. What about the TPI manifold and head kit from SDPC ? And maybe the cam too ?? I can port the plenum and maybe buy new runners. I was also wondering if there's gonna be any problem using an older block with the TPI style heads ??? All the guys I run around with have old cars and they are of little help.
10-24-2003, 10:31 PM
#9
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why are you so stuck on using the tpi system? For a couple grand you could buy a tpi's mini ram, get a set of half descent heads and by asking around find out who does amazing port work in your area and have them ported to all hell....youd have the best EFI intake and a killer set of heads to match...
10-26-2003, 09:19 AM
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Doug, Because all my buddies keep telling me to scrap my Iroc and get something older and go carb. 
I just want to show them I can do it and smoke them. They run 12.0's - 12.4's . How much is the mini-ram set-up going for now ? With buying that, heads, cam, oil pump, pan, gears, etc. etc. I think that'd be more than a couple g's. I could buy the heads and intake manifold from Scoggin-Dickey for about 1200.
I just want to show them I can do it and smoke them. They run 12.0's - 12.4's . How much is the mini-ram set-up going for now ? With buying that, heads, cam, oil pump, pan, gears, etc. etc. I think that'd be more than a couple g's. I could buy the heads and intake manifold from Scoggin-Dickey for about 1200.
10-26-2003, 05:07 PM
#12
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Forget the MiniRam and the SuperRam and go with Holley's StealthRam. You get the same performance with half the cost. I very highly doubt you will get low 12's with a stock TPI unless you siamese the intake manifold. I was using a long-tube aftermarket TPI setup and my best time so far is 12.80.
Is this a street car or a race car? How about your friends cars? Ask them how good their gas mileage is, how easy their cars are to start in the cold morning, and if they can pass a smog check.
Since my car is my daily driver, I'll gladly give up a few tenths in ET to gain more gas mileage and easier driving.
Is this a street car or a race car? How about your friends cars? Ask them how good their gas mileage is, how easy their cars are to start in the cold morning, and if they can pass a smog check.
Since my car is my daily driver, I'll gladly give up a few tenths in ET to gain more gas mileage and easier driving.
10-26-2003, 07:13 PM
#13
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Originally posted by aklim
With Scoggy dickin, you will have to use the boat anchor iron vortec heads and be limited to their manifold if you want to go TPI. I would go with the Miniram or Superram.
With Scoggy dickin, you will have to use the boat anchor iron vortec heads and be limited to their manifold if you want to go TPI. I would go with the Miniram or Superram.
10-26-2003, 07:42 PM
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Kevin, what kind of mods do you have ? I am definitely not concerned about gas mileage, as I have a 94 T/A also. I am currently using a friend's address so I don't have to go thru emmisions. I only live 10 Min from the track. My friends cars run Cam2/gas mix on the street and Cam2 at the track. They can drive around town with no problems. What do you have as far as heads, cam and block ???
10-26-2003, 08:38 PM
#15
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Originally posted by Dirt Reynolds
I don't know how well the Vortecs work in a TPI application, but they sure as hell are the furthest thing from 'boat anchors' on a carbed engine. I've gone 12.15/110.52 in a full-weight 3800# '77 Z/28 with those 'boat anchors', stock stamped-steel rockers, stock 1.94/1.50 valves, some mild porting by me, and a cheap Crane hydraulic cam and lifter kit with .488" intake lift.
I don't know how well the Vortecs work in a TPI application, but they sure as hell are the furthest thing from 'boat anchors' on a carbed engine. I've gone 12.15/110.52 in a full-weight 3800# '77 Z/28 with those 'boat anchors', stock stamped-steel rockers, stock 1.94/1.50 valves, some mild porting by me, and a cheap Crane hydraulic cam and lifter kit with .488" intake lift.